Recap: Sagapolutele leads Cal to decisive win over Oregon State in debut
Cal has had big-name quarterbacks in the past. Some have gone on to greatness. Others have flamed out. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele looked like he could belong to the former group Saturday night in Corvallis.
The freshman from Hawaii was nearly flawless to open up his first collegiate game. Sagapolutele completed his first seven pass attempts and guided the Bears to an early 14-0 lead over Oregon State.
Cal would never look back in a dominant showing against the Beavers ending in a 34-15 victory at Reser Stadium.
The Bears (1-0) lead by as many as 21 points as Bryan Harsin allowed his freshman to air it out in his Cal debut. Sagapolutele finished the night with 20 completions on 30 attempts for 234 yards and three touchdown passes. He also had 30 yards rushing on a pair of carries.
Sagapolutele shines in Cal debut
The lefty became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Bears since Jared Goff in 2013.
Sagapolutele’s confidence showed itself early when he connected with receiver Trond Grizzell for 35 yards on the opening drive of the game. He eventually hit tight end Mason Mini for a 19-yard touchdown play with 11:23 to play in the opening quarter.
After a three-and-out, Sagapolutele went back to work with the offense and guided yet another long scoring drive. The freshman hit tight end Landon Morris for a 26-yard play to open the drive. Five plays later, Sagapolutele hit Grizzell for 32 yards pushing the Bears to a 14-0 advantage with 7:56 in the opening quarter.
From that point on the Bears were in control en route to their victory.
Grizzell ended the night as the leading receiver with 5 catches on eight targets to go with 83 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Morris caught the other touchdown in the game on a 4-yard touchdown play in the third quarter. The score put the Bears up 24-3 with 11:37 to play in the third quarter.
Oregon State (0-1) was held to a field goal through the first two quarters. Anthony Hankerson gave the Beavers their first touchdown on a 2-yard run with 4:16 to play in the third quarter.
New-look Cal defense steps up in Week 1
However, Cal’s defense controlled much of the night in that matchup. The Bears had plenty of changes on that side of the ball this offseason. However, it was much of the same that you come to expect from Justin Wilcox‘s defense now into his ninth season.
Cornerback Zeke Masses shined in his debut for the Bears. He had a pick-six called back but was eventually able to get it back with an interception in the fourth quarter. The 41-yard return set up a 2-yard rushing touchdown for Brandon High Jr. with 12:04 to play.
The FIU transfer had 5 tackles plus a pair of pass breakups in his first game in the Bears secondary.
Junior inside linebacker Cade Uluave made his presence felt all night in Corvallis. He led the Bears with 10 tackles (4 solo) and 2 1/2 tackles for loss in the win. He also had a quarterback hurry Saturday night.
Cal forced two turnovers in the game and held the Beavers to 65 yards on the ground. Oregon State had 313 yards of total offense in the game. The Bears struggled to move the ball on the ground at times but still managed to have 122 yards rushing.
Cal had 356 total yards in Saturday night’s win.
Cal opens up its home slate next Saturday against Texas Southern (0-1).
